Wow!!!
Every now and again, you hit the absolute motherlode. And for me, Walter Bishop Jr’s ‘theme’, on Soul Village, is just that.
I feel like I’ve heard it elsewhere, before. But I can’t be sure. I recently became aware of it via the version on Blue Mitchell’s eponymous 1971 Mainstream Records release. That album is sometimes referred to as Soul Village (it’s the opening track).
The theme gives me goose-bumps! It’s the epitome of groovy cosmic jazz funk, to me. A lithe snaking bass-driven melody, that just tickles my third-eye, so to speak. To the extent that music is magical – we can’t explain its occult effects upon us – then this is, for me, a real humdinger.
Perhaps oddly, it alternates what I’ll call the ‘theme’, with a much simpler, earthier ‘groove’ or jam section. Initially this bugged me a bit. But over time I’ve come to appreciate it. It’s like the band of an engagement ring, setting off the jewel that is the theme.
It’s also an instance of a single track, or even musical moment, making the seeking out and purchase of an entire album – even if it’s quite costly – worthwhile. Even if the rest of said album were shite. But of course, in this case, it ain’t. Far from it!